Pipe handling apparatus



Nov. 10, 1936. s. B: HITCHENS 2,060,214

PIPE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor m J4 as" I I awwmu a A ilorneya NOV. 10, 1936. s Ns 2,060,214

PIPE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 6. l ,J'Z

7i I I I Inventor T599 By @m' 4062m ,g g i A Homeps' Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates. to what may be conveniently designated as a heavy duty pipe handling apparatus, that is, a structure which may be conveniently located in a ditch or trench for bodily shifting the pipe sections to facilitate the laying of a complete pipe line in said ditch.

structurally classified from a slightly different viewpoint, the invention may be said to pertain to that special subdivision sometimes called a pipe pulling and pushing machine, and the outstanding purpose is to generally improve upon known structures by providing an arrangement possessed of features of newness and refinement calculated to permit the apparatus to perform more successfully and effectively.

Having actually reduced the invention to practice it is now evident that it is aptly fitted for the purposes intended, positive and reliable in action, substantially fool-proof, yet structurally distinct and characterized by such simplicity and efliciency as to justify unqualified endorsement and acceptance in the industry.

I shall not attempt to narrate other structural factors at this time other than to say that additional features and advantages will doubtless. become readily apparent from the following description and accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:--

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing the complete apparatus as constructed in accordance with my specific ideas and giving an idea as to the method of use and operation.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal view, in section and elevation, showing more in particular the gripping or clamping action of the eccentrically mounted pipe grip or cam.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are detailed perspective views of certain of the complemental parts.

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 1-! of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a similar sectional view taken at the extreme left-hand end of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a perspective drawing of the base plate.

Referring to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals it will be observed that the base plate is denoted by the numeral l and, as shown in Figures 2 and 9 is provided at opposite ends with stake holes II by means of which it may be securely anchored in the bottom of a pipe line trench or ditch (not shown).

Attached to the base plate is a relatively fixed longitudinally elongated open ended casing denoted as a unit by the numeral l3. Generally stated this casing is channel-shaped in crosssectional form and is primarily utilized as an adapter sheath for the relatively slidable pipe carriage and clamping unit l4. Incidentally, the part I3 is made up of a pair of spaced parallel duplicate rails having flanges l5 secured to the base plate. The rails are brought relatively close together as indicated at the points l6 to define a guide-way for the lower key portion of the car- '10 riage I4 as will be hereinafter described. The portions ll, which define the walls proper, are fashioned with converging upper end flanges l8 which features I6, I1 and I8 serve to provide a track-way for the track portions IQ of the slidable carriage.

The carriage itself is made up of a pair of duplicate companion opposed sections or plates. These plates are fashioned at their lowerpc-rtion to accommodate a solid metal bar whichconstitutes the main part of the key and slides back and forth in the key-way at the bottom of the sheath. The upper surface of this block or bar is grooved as indicated at H to accommodate the pipe-line 22. Considering the casing unit l3 as an integral part, it is evident that it includes a lower guide or key-way for the key portion of the relatively slidable carriage unit M. In addition it includes the spaced parallel tracks I! above which is formed a relatively narrow slot. It follows, therefore, that the unit I4 is shaped to conform to the surrounding part or portions of the unit l3. That is to say, the tracks l8 fit slidably and snugly in the track-ways IT. The portions above the tracks are directed laterally toward each other and at the center we find a pair of upstanding actuating ears or lugs 23.

These lugs serve primarily as accommodation or hanger and mounting means for the segmental pipe engaging and moving cam 24. The cam is eccentrically pivoted or fulcrumed as indicated at between the ears and moreover the ears are provided with extra pin or fulcrum holes 26 to allow the cam to be raised or lowered to accommodate pipes of varying diameter, as well as to regulate the sensitivity of gripping actions. It will be noted that the cam has a V-shaped groove in its bottom and the walls of the groove are formed with gripping teeth 21 which provide an anti-slip action. It is further observed, especially in Figure 3, that the cam has an upstanding rocker stud or extension 28 which projects above the ears to accommodate the lever and enlinking means.

The lever is indicated as a unit by the numeral 29 and is made up of companion sections having their shank portions riveted together and fashioned at their lower end to provide a sort of a yoke. The yoke arms 30, have adjustable pivotal connection as at 3| with the sections of the casing unit I3. If desired, and as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 8, an appropriate protecting hand grip 32 may be employed for the convenience of rocking the lever back and forth in the limited are indicated in Figure 1.

, The connecting and motion transmitting links are indicated by the numerals 33. They are pivotally attached as at 34 to the yoke of the lever. Then the opposite ends are brought together in converging relationship as indicated at 35 and the free extremities are disposed in parallelism and straddle and are pivotally connected to the stud 28 as indicated in the drawings. This lever, link and pawl or cam assemblage provides convenient means for reciprocating the pipe carriage. It also provides the means for initially tilting or adjusting the cam into gripping relationship with the pipe, and releases the grip at the end of the stroke to permit the carriage to be returned to take a new grip so as to feed or slide the pipe-line along in a step-by-step manner.

Obviously, as the lever is moved in a pipe pushing direction the links initially adjust the cam into gripping relationship with the pipe. Then the pipe becomes momentarily a part of the carriage structure and moves along with the carriage. At the end of the stroke moving the lever in the opposite direction serves to release the cam so that the carriage can be drawn back in relation to the pipe to take a new grip. This provides the intermittent pipe gripping and moving action desired. Naturally, the links, lever and cam can be adjusted in relation to each other to regulate the sensitivity of action to insure proper alternate gripping and releasing action. Hence, the structure provides a convenient and satisfactory means for pushing or pulling a pipe section to facilitate handling and laying in ditches and trenches.

Structural novelty is thought to reside in the provision of a base carrying a guide equipped casing wherein the base is susceptible of being temporarily staked or otherwise anchored in the ditch. More specific novelty resides in the formation of the two sections or parts which go to make up the casing unit !3. The special ingenuity in this arrangement resides in the channel-shaped portion I 1 which forms the track-ways, these being elevated above the base and that portion between the track-ways and base serving as a keyway as at l6. The inturned flanges IE3 at the top provide for requisite facilities and positive guiding and retention action. Moreover, the conformation and shape and coordination of features of the part l4 to render it successfully cooperable with the part 13 is believed to be an ingenious adaptation.

The idea of the proper feeding and accommodation of the pipe, as Well as the carriage of which it forms a part, and the cam and lever actuation means, is a decided and added improvement in the general arrangement.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having thus described the invention, What I claim:

1. As a. component part of a pipe handling apparatus of the class described, a base plate adapted to be anchored in a ditch or trench, a casing mounted on said base plate, said casing comprising a pair of spaced parallel companion sections, the lower ends of said sections being provided with flanges attached to said base plate, the portions of the sections adjacent said flanges being disposed in relatively close spaced parallel order and forming a key-Way, the portions of said sections above said key-way being of general channel-shaped cross-sectional form and defining track-ways, the extreme upper edges of said sections being disposed in parallelism and forming a slide-way for cooperating portions of a relatively slidable pipe carriage.

2. As a component part of a pipe handling apparatus of the class described, a pipe-accommodation carriage comprising a pair of duplicate companion opposed plate sections, a metal bar secured between the lower end portions of said plate sections and cooperating therewith in forming a longitudinal assembling and guiding key, the portions of said sections above said key being of general channel-shaped cross-sectional form and constituting guide tracks, said guide tracks being provided intermediate their ends with a pair of opposed upstanding apertured ears to accommodate a pipe clamping cam, a segmental cam eccentrically pivoted and adjustably mounted between said ears, an operating lever, and links connected with said operating lever and cam.

3. A pipe handling apparatus of the class described comprising a base adapted to be anchored in a ditch or the like, an open-ended casing attached to said base, said casing including spaced parallel upstanding side members provided with guide-ways, said casing further including a centralized horizontally disposed key-way, a carriage mounted for reciprocation in said casing, said carriage including a longitudinal depending key slidable in said key-way, further including a pair of opposed guide tracks slidable in said track-Way,

said carriage being provided with internal pipeaccommodation and supporting means, being further provided with a pair of spaced parallel upstanding apertured ears, said ears extending above the side members of said casing, a single cam located between said ears and adjustably pivoted and eccentrically connected with said ears, said cam being provided with a lug extending above said ears, a lever including a yoke at its bottom adjustably and pivotally connected with said casing, a pair of companion links pivotally joined at corresponding ends to said lever, and means pivotally attaching the opposite ends of said links to said lugs.

SHERMAN B. HITCHENS. 

